Orange Mound Collaborative

Rebirth of the Memphis Depot

Oct 09, 2000

On Thursday, July 13, 2000, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton was joined by Jim Covington and Mike Ritz of the Depot Redevelopment Corporation in cutting the ribbon the new $5.3 million entry boulevard. The boulevard will provide increased truck maneuvering capabilities while improving the appearance of the site. Herenton said, "It's important to recognize new opportunity - the City is committed to helping to increase capital investment and thus create jobs."

The former Defense Depot is now the Memphis Depot Business Park (MDBP). The Board of the Depot Redevelopment Corporation selected the name Memphis Depot Business Park to draw on the reputation of the Depot as a major distribution facility.

With over one million square feet of enclosed occupied warehouse space, the Memphis Depot Business Park is now one of the fastest growing commercial/industrial business parks in the Memphis area. One reason could be its close location to the Memphis International Airport, Interstates 240 and 55, intermodal rail yards, the FedEx World Hub and the Southern Region Headquarter of the United Parcel Service. A range of businesses are located on the site which in addition to 24 hour security, has an on-site Police Precinct.

The Memphis Defense Depot was built in 1941 for the Army Quartermasters Corps on 642 acres of former cotton fields purchased from Abe and Ben Goodman and Nellie Flanagan. Between 1943 and 1945, over 800 German and Italian prisoners-of-war were held at the Depot. Personnel was highest in 1943 with 4,726 civilians and 162 military personnel where primary military supplies handled were clothing, food and medical equipment.

The Depot closed as a military facility of September 30, 1997. Now it is becoming the gateway to progress with approximately, 909 employees (in 250 new jobs) with wages $7-$19 an hour work in the MDBP.

The ceremony marked the completion of Phase 1 and 2 of the Memphis Depot's Redevelopment Plan, which includes the new landscaped roadway and utility infrastructure upgrades. It also marks the beginning of Phase 3 and 4 of the plan, which will provide improved utilities in the warehouse complexes and road extensions required to connect the Memphis Depot Parkway to Dunn Avenue.

For more information about the Memphis Depot Business Park call 942-4939 or visit them on the Internet at www.MemphisDepot.co.shelby.tn.us